A Knight to Remember

The awards reception was a night filled with warmth, pride, and a few happy tears. 

The invitation said "business casual," but I didn't have any gold clothing to show my school spirit. I did have one thing, though: a tan Nehru jacket with gold buttons that one of my teams in Bengaluru gave me for Christmas last year. It felt like the perfect way to connect my past travels with this wonderful moment.

The reception started off with a celebrity appearance!
Here's Maggie posing with the one and only Knightro.

Getting the whole crew in for a photo. 

You're never too old to get a picture with the mascot.

Dean Maggy Tomova takes the stage to present the awards.

A surreal moment, seeing the award
I was about to receive up on the big screen.

The highlight of the evening, without a doubt, was the introduction from my former advisor, Dr. Tom Morgan, or "Doc" as I've always known him. Hearing someone you admire so deeply say such kind and heartfelt things is an overwhelming experience, and it nearly brought me to tears. He even stole one of the anecdotes I was planning to use in my own speech! But I have always been one to think on my feet, I rewrote it on the way to the dais.

It was an honor to have a chance to say a few words
and thank some very important people.

When it was my turn at the podium, I was able to give my heartfelt thanks to both Doc Morgan and Maggie LeClaire for everything they did for me during my years at UCF and in all the years since. It was a night about celebrating the university, but for me, it was really about celebrating the people who make it so special.

I was also impressed by the ripple of laughter of assent when I commented how Maggie had helped so many of us to navigate the labyrinthine rules of "U Can't Finish!"

The award itself had been under wraps all the evening until it was my turn and I had been warned not even to try to lift it - "It is HEAVY" Dean Maggy warned.

The award itself—the Dean's Celestial Knight Award statue.
A scale model of the Victory Knight that stands outside the Fairwinds Alumni Center.
An incredible memento from an incredible night.

The evening ended with a set of photos of all the prise recipients. 

Standing with my fellow 2024 Distinguished Alumknight recipients.

What an impressive and inspiring group.

...and a couple with the people without whom, the evening may have never happened. 

Reunited with two of the most influential people from my time at UCF:
my advisor, Doc Morgan, and Maggie LeClaire.

Had to get a photo with the wonderful Maggie LeClaire,
who has been such a great supporter over the years.

So grateful to have been able to share this evening with them.

Wherever you are today, I hope you take a moment to thank the people who helped light your way.

Don Bergquist – 13 March 2024 – Orlando, Florida, USA